Homing CRISPR targeting doublesex gene with X-shredder cargo in Anopheles gambiae - Imperial College

African malaria mosquito

Intended use

Reduction of transmission of malaria pathogen by this vector (to reduce morbidity and mortality from malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa)

Readiness of Technology

6 - Laboratory proof of concept

Project leader

A. Crisanti

Institution

Imperial College London, UK

Publications

Authors name for system

Sex-distorter gene drive (SDGD)

Class of Technology

Homing gene drive

Sex ratio distorter

Field(s) of application

Vector control

Description of system

Homing CRISPR + Sex ratio distorter (X-shredder)

Description

Homing CRISPR gene drive targeting the dsxF locus combined with a cargo construct comprised of an I-PpoI nuclease based autosomal ‘X-shredder’

No evolving resistance observed.

Notes on readiness of technology

Proof of principal in laboratory (Simoni et al., 2020)

Assessed for off-target effects (Garrod et al., 2021)

Phenotype

sterile females & male biased sex ratio - rapid suppression in small cage trials

Authors name for construct(s)

SDGDdsx

Research in target organism

✔

Research in model organism

✖

Intended for release

✖

Intended direct effects

Population suppression/eradication